Top 5 snakes that would have been a better choice than the death adder
It's no secret that the idea of having two, more or less obscure, Australian venomous snake in the main game, is slightly jarring, as is the fact that no other snakes have been added to the game since, leaving us with only 6. These are mostly fine, but, while the Eastern Brown snake has the distinction of being the second most venomous snake in Australia AND the one that causes the most human fatalities there, I just can't understand why the death adder needs to be there. So here are 5 snakes that could have easily taken its place:
5. Green tree python (Morelia viridis): People have been clamoring for the inclusion of a python in the game, and one of the most unique and aesthetically beautiful is the green tree python, as it would also be the smallest of the constrictors. It shares its australian heritage, so it would be a decent addition for that side of the world. However, I feel that other snakes could potentially be a lot better, and for that, we need to jump to other continents.
4. Mexican milksnake (Lampropeltis annulata): the aesthetics alone make this beautiful snake and its relatives well worth considering for Planet Zoo, and it would be the only colubrid in the game. Common as colubrids are, I find it interesting that they're so lacking in the current roster, and I feel they need representation. However, as it's a common pet species and it's yet another representative of North American deserts, I don't think it should be the top priority.
3. Sunda Island pit viper (Trimeresurus insularis): Everyone has said it and so have I; the number of Asian exhibit animals is woefully low, and thus all snakes from this point on are from said continent. The first is the Sunda Island pit viper, a venomous snake famous for its bright green, and occasionally pale blue, colour. It would be the only reptile from Asia, and the only venomous snake to be housed in a rainforest terrarium. It's not endangered at all, but it's still a beautiful species well worth considering.
2. Burmese python (Python bivittatus): As I said, pythons are much sought after. The Burmese python, vulnerable in its native range, an invasive species in the USA and extremely common in zoos, would be my absolute first choice for the Planet Zoo python, even above the equally impressive African rock and reticulated pythons. It would be another large constrictor, granted, but I believe the distinct lineage, geographic area and conservation situation would totally justify its inclusion. But it still can't surpass…
1. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah): let's face it, any cobra could easily be up there; the Indian, the Arabian, the red spitting… But in the end, none can surpass the king. It fills all the necessary gaps; it's Asian, it's a venomous snake in a humid environment, it's vulnerable to extinction and, most importantly, it's one of the most requested exhibit animals the Planet Zoo crowd wishes for. Hell, one of the developers is called "Cobra"!! Come on, make it happen!